Devine Scripture

John 12:1

What does John 12:1 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:1 means

John marks the time carefully: six days before the Passover Jesus returns to Bethany, the village linked with His recent, astonishing sign. Naming Lazarus as the one Jesus raised from the dead reminds readers that living proof of Jesus’ power is present. The setting hints at both gratitude and danger. Gratitude, because Bethany had received life from Jesus’ hand; danger, because the miracle had stirred opposition from Jerusalem’s leaders. The Passover clock is ticking, and Jesus moves deliberately toward it. This verse situates His approaching death within God’s calendar and places Him again among friends, where His life-giving authority has already been displayed unmistakably.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had made to come back from the dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus, therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus, who had died, whom he raised out of the dead;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus therefore, six days before the pasch, came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where was the dead [man] Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from among [the] dead.

Context

This opening verse shifts from the raising of Lazarus in chapter 11 to the days immediately preceding the final Passover. The mention of Bethany and Lazarus recalls the sign that ignited both belief and hostility. What follows is a meal in Jesus’ honor, leading to Mary’s anointing and Judas’s objection. The time note—six days before Passover—signals that the narrative is entering its climactic phase, moving from private devotion to public acclaim in Jerusalem, and then to Jesus’ final public appeals before His passion.

v.1This passage

v.2So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 11:1

    Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

  • Mark 14:3

    And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly; and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head.

  • Matthew 21:17

    And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

  • Luke 24:50

    And he led them out untilthey were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

  • Matthew 26:6

    Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

  • John 11:55

    Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 12

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 12.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 12:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary